The Snow Queen is a modern classic of science fiction, awarded the prestigious Hugo and Locus Awards. Set on the planet Tiamat, the story unfolds as the imperious Winter colonists have ruled for 150 years, deriving wealth from the slaughter of the sea mers. But soon, the galactic stargate will close, isolating Tiamat, and the 150-year reign of the Summer primitives will begin.

Their only chance at surviving the impending change lies in the hands of Arienrhod, the ageless and corrupt Snow Queen, who seeks to defy destiny with an act of genocide. However, Arienrhod faces fierce competition from Moon, a young Summer-tribe sibyl determined to break a conspiracy that spans space.

Interstellar politics, a millennia-long secret conspiracy, and a civilization whose hidden machineries might still control the fate of worlds provide the backdrop to this spectacular hard science fiction novel by Joan D. Vinge.